It was a week of firsts. The first qualifying marlin was caught on the first day of competition in the 2026 Bisbee’s Black & Blue by a first-time team. And that catch, a 491-pound blue marlin, would end up being another first—the largest payout ever for a single fish in the tournament’s 46-year history, worth a staggering $5,629,300.
Contango’s Spartan’s Revenge swept all Day One jackpots through the $10,000 level as well as first-place Top Team and Captain categories. Team leader George Kypreos, angler Kevin Miranda, Capt. Jeff Villarroel and team mates Gary Gilmore, Aaron Taylor, Adriana Watson, Jessica Watson, Miguel Contreras and Kenneth Pymm comprise the team. Cantango is a 60-foot Viking based in Costa Rica. The fight lasted just over two hours after the fish ate an Andy Moyes lure outside the Gordo Bank.
“It’s been incredible and insane,” Kypreos said before Saturday’s awards banquet. “I’ve followed this tournament and Cabo for years and I’m humbled, honored and proud to be part of this tournament’s long history. I’m still pinching myself.
“I’m just a guy with a few bucks who put the right team together and we were in the right place at the right time to score that fish,” he added.
The total purse for this year's tournament was $6,264250. The top release teams also won sizable portions of that prize money for hard-earned fish. A Blueish Hue, with Capt. Keith Hilton at the helm of the 80 Trojan, takes home $211,650 for a blue marlin release on Day One, winning both the $2,000 and $3,000 Daily Release Divisions. Team members included Joseph Byrum, Antonio Colorado, Ozer Culhagil, Mike Dickerson, Nate Esser, Flyn Jack, Eddie Noonan, Ryan Ohalloran and Byron Rice.
Never Say Never, a 74 Viking run by Capt. Scott Flores, also won $211,650 with two blue marlin releases on Day Two, winning both daily divisions. William “Bill” Vanderpoel, Christie Vanderpoel, Darlene Tevelde and Jay Tevelde were the anglers. The mates were Endy Marquez, Eduardo Parra, Eduardo Parra Santiago and Marco Rodriquez.
The Day Three Releases divisions split the jackpots. Cottonpicker, a 57 Spencer, won $94,350 in the $3,000 category with a blue marlin released by Wynn Cowan. Cottonpicker’s team also included Laura Cowan, Chase Lambertson, Brian Riley and Wilmer Zapata. Capt. Jeff McLeod runs the custom sport fisher based in Costa Rica.
Right Rigger, a 40 Egg Harbor with Capt. Alex Rogers, won $117,300 for a blue marlin released by William Jones. That was also the first fish released on the final day of completion. Right Rigger’s other team members included Christhian Balderas, Rob Boyatt, Mike Damelio, Adam Edgington, Brian English, Darryl Woods and Rick Wurster.
The 175 teams competing in the 46th annual Bisbee’s Black & Blue caught 38 marlin, with 34 released. Three fish were disqualified for failing to meet the 300-pound minimum weight allowance.
“El Niño certainly did a number on us, fishing-wise,” said Tournament Director Wayne Bisbee. “But in true Bisbee’s fashion, the teams had fun and I’d like to thank all of them for fishing with us again. Congratulations and well done to Cantango Spartan’s Revenge for a nice marlin and for setting the payout record for that catch.”
“We couldn’t do any of this without our fabulous sponsors and our dedicated staff,” he added. “Muchas gracias to you all and now we gear up for another first, the Mag Bay Mania, a month-long digital release tournament that runs through November 2026.”
Photos courtesy of Sebastian Harris.
